Month: March 2018

Newly released body camera footage shows a police officer shooting an unarmed man in an Arizona hotel after the man sobbed and pleaded with officers not to shoot him.

The graphic video, which was released after a jury on Thursday acquitted the officer of murder and manslaughter charges, stoked outrage on social media and renewed calls for reforms in law enforcement. (Read more)

The Watch Dogresponse: When no one in the group think about this can’t happen then something is seriously wrong.

The make-shift mannequin is hanging from a tree outside Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Woodman Road.

A member of the church said the mannequin is there for Easter and is meant to represent the betrayal and ultimate suicide of Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus.

The Catholic Diocese of Richmond issued a statement on Friday:

Earlier today, a community Passion play took place on the grounds of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Henrico, Va. Part of that play featured an image of Judas’ betrayal and suicide which showed a figure hanging in a tree.

Although the Passion play is meant to be a devotional event during Holy Week intended to reflect the events surrounding the Passion, death and Resurrection of Christ, the image of a mannequin hanging from a tree – is insensitive. We regret any . . . (Read more)

New industry announcements made at the end of last year will produce more than 900 jobs in the Twin Counties.

Chinese tire manufacturer Triangle Tire will create 800 jobs and invest nearly $580 million in building its first manufacturing facility outside of China at the Kingsboro megasite in Edgecombe County. The average salary of the new jobs will be $56,450, almost double the county’s average of $32,642.

The importance of having a trained workforce is paramount as Triangle Tire will break ground soon and hopes to have the first phase operational in 2019. The local community colleges are considered economic catalysts that train the local workforce.

Edgecombe Community College President Deborah Lamm, who will be retiring in May, said ECC currently has different advanced manufacturing programs such as manufacturing technology, industrial system technology, electrical system technology, facility maintenance, welding and supply chain management that anyone looking to be an employee of Triangle Tire could benefit from. (Read more)

The Watch Dogresponse: You see this is why we need a functioning Edgecombe County Democratic Party because if our Senate District 3 representative and other reps in Edgecombe County was to vacate their seat then we have 2 reps that would sit on the committee. If something was to occur in Edgecombe County at the moment we would not be legit because the party has hit rock bottom under the leadership of Lawrence K. Taylor Chair, 1st Vice Chair Martha Johnson Knight and Dr. Glenda L. Knight 2nd Vice Chair. Jim Marrow 3rd Vice Chair has been missing in action after attending a meeting and the chair said to no offense Mr. Marrow but folk said they ain’t coming to a Nigger meeting. Pastor Yvette Hart-Brown secretary has been kept in the dark, have not received any documents from previous officers when she was elected for her 1st term last year. Now they want to use her. Stephanie Hunter Treasurer has been doing a good job until Taylor was elected for his 1st term last year. I say the party is not legit because the precinct packages that were mailed to the party has been marked return to sender because the party has no official post office box for receiving mail. Damn shame and embarrassing to me. I refuse to be silent.

HALIFAX — The state Senate District 4 Democratic executive committee has selected Milton “Toby” Fitch Jr. to replace state Sen. Angela Bryant, who resigned her position on Monday.

Fitch, the only Democrat who filed for election to the District 4 Senate seat, was nominated Friday at the Halifax County Ag Center by executive committee members Gwen Wilkins (Nash County) and Zette McArn (Wilson County). The committee unanimously supported his nomination. (Read more)

Lifelong Rocky Mount resident Lamont Wiggins is trading in a city council seat for a judge’s bench.

Wiggins was appointed Friday to serve as an N.C. Superior Court judge by Gov. Roy Cooper.

As a private-practice lawyer, Wiggins brings years of courtroom experience to his appointment, Cooper said.

Wiggins said he’s honored by the appointment and thanked Cooper.

“This is a lifelong career desire for me,” Wiggins said. “I’ve been a lawyer for 24 years and an elected official for 20 years. This is a different level of service. My mantra has always been ‘service above self.’”

Wiggins said he will likely announce his retirement from the city council by mid-week and wind down his practice as soon as possible. (Read more)